Mary Hoy comes from a farming background where nature and sustainability have always been important to her. Her practice explores ways to bring the viewer closer to nature and soil, which has led her to pilot a circular composting system within NCAD for her final project. She understands future educational systems and community engagement as having a pivotal role in the transition to sustainable living. It is her belief that ‘soil replicates community by allowing diversity and individuality.’

Hoy’s practice investigates our current neoliberal reality through the lens of ecofeminism, leading to creative, practical solutions to promoting transformative ways to combat climate change and help us step back from the capitalist system. Her key themes relate to our interaction with soil, regenerative farming methods, women in farming, rural sustainability, food security and urban/rural relationships. We are stronger together so instead of landfill let's créatively compost!

Hoy has created a two-part performance/ installation with both parts in communication with each other. Inside the Studio the compost piles connect through a line of sight (out through the window) with the compost bins located outside. The participant is invited to create a circular system by turning the compost; taking a bucket and scooping a little compost from the bottom of the hourglass pile and pouring it into the centre of the fertiliser funnel/spreader and watching the pour form.

Outside in Red Square the participant is invited to visit the compost bins where they can turn the compost by shovelling compost from one bin into another bin, again creating a circular system. In acknowledgment of their participation, they are offered the gift of a seed in compost in a repurposed container.

Hoy submitted a proposal to NCAD to continue this pilot composting system beyond the Degree exhibition. She offered the College two bins together with instructions and advice from her experience running the project. They responded to say that they do not have the personnel available.

cré – soil